Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Basit Ali lauded Misbah-ul-Haq for “leading from the front”, thereby playing a vital role in the team’s recent success at Test cricket.

by Nimra Ishtiaq

03 November, 2011 

 

Pakistan Cricket Team’s performance is seldom described as ‘consistent’. However, statistics from the last twelve months will testify that Pakistan has been fairly consistent in the longest version of the game, remaining unbeaten in all of the five Test series’ played during this period - and the credit for this impressive show must be given to captain Misbah-ul-Haq according to former Test cricketer, Basit Ali. 

Speaking exclusively to PakPassion.net, Basit Ali lauded Misbah-ul-Haq for “leading from the front”, thereby playing a vital role in the team’s recent success at Test cricket. He stated, “Misbah is leading from the front. When the captain leads from the front, his job becomes easier.” 

He further added, “Pakistan’s Test team has done well in the last one year. We haven’t lost a series during this period, and the credit goes to the captain for keeping this team together. He has assigned roles to each player and all the boys are responding to him which is a very good sign.”

Misbah-ul-Haq took over the Test captaincy in November 2010 but it was not until May 2011 that he took charge of the ODI side after then-captain Shahid Afridi withdrew from the two-match series against Ireland. Following a fall-out between Afridi and the Pakistan Cricket Board, Misbah was retained as captain for all three formats on the tour of Zimbabwe.

Commenting on the subject of LOI captaincy, Ali forthrightly stated, “Misbah should lead the ODI and T20I team as well.”

Speaking of the improvements that could be made to Pakistan’s Test team, Ali alluded to the continued non-selection of leg-spinner Danish Kaneria. “In my view, playing Danish Kaneria alongside Ajmal would further strengthen our bowling attack. Danish is a big spinner of the ball whereas Abdur Rehman is more of a containing bowler. I’m sure the new PCB Chairman will take interest and resolve this matter.”

Basit, a fearless right-handed batsman who played 19 Test matches and 50 ODIs for Pakistan also stressed on the inclusion of flamboyant middle order batsman Umar Akmal in the Test side stating, “He is too good a player to miss out”.

Basit, who resigned as a member of the selection committee of the Karachi City Cricket Association in December last year is currently serving as the Coach of SNGPL. Commenting on his present coaching stint with SNGPL and the quality of talent on display at the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in Pakistan, he said, “I am enjoying my coaching role with SNGPL a lot. I’ve noticed some really good talent in our domestic circuit, one of whom is Raza Hasan. I believe he should be drafted into the national team for all formats right away.”

Pakistan is known to possess seemingly never-ending resources of fast bowling talent. Identifying one such talent who has caught his eye in the ongoing domestic tournament, Basit mentioned a rather lesser-known name, Bilawal Bhatti. 

Assessing Bhatti’s abilities, Basit stated, “He can bowl around 140 kph, he hits the deck hard and he can swing the ball both ways. He is 5’10” and I feel this boy should be able to get into the [national] team very soon if he keeps working hard.”

The Muridke-born 20-year old right-arm medium-fast bowler has scalped 133 wickets in 29 First Class matches at an average of 22.35. Whilst representing SNGPL in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season, he is averaging 14.00 with the ball and with 29 wickets in 5 matches, he currently stands as the second highest wicket-taker in Division Two.